Elongated article ejection box



NOV. 1, 1966 w, DAV|$ 3,282,465

ELONGATED ARTICLE EJEG'IION BOX Filed Nov. 12, 1964 INVENTOR Z MAL/ma A7. 124m 2 ATT R NEY 7? United States Patent Ofifice 3,282,465 Patented Nov. 1, 1966 3,282,465 ELONGATED ARTICLE EJECTION BOX William M. Davis, Smyrna, Tenn. (RR. 2, Oaktown, Ind.) Filed Nov. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 410,452 8 Claims. (Cl. 22164) This invention relates to a box or contained for elongated or slender articles, and more particularly, to a box including means for ejecting slender articles, such as cigarettes.

Although cigarette boxes or packages having hinged tops have been known for many years, and the prior art shows several devices for ejecting cigarettes from a package, it is believed that this invention contemplates a novel construction for a cigarette ejecting box having several functional advantages not previously obtained.

One object of this invention is to provide a box for slender articles, such as cigarettes, having a hinged top and an aligned hinged bottom, which when manually pushed into the box, will not only thrust the cigarette upward, but will cause the cigarette to automatically pivot the hinged top outwardly to make the cigarette available for easy removal from the box.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a cigarette box, a hinged top which occupies only a small portion of the top wall of the box, and a hinged bottom of substantially the same size and in alignment with the hinged top.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cigarette ejecting box having a top flap and a botom flap hinged to swing in the same direction to eject one or more cigarettes, but provided with stop means to limit the reverse movement of the flaps to positions substantially coplanar with the top and bottom walls of the box, respectively.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cigarette box having a novel ejector means, which may be constructed from a single paperboard blank.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cigarette ejecting box which may be easily and economically constructed.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention with the hinged flaps in inoperative position;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the hinged flaps in operative position for ejecting cigarettes;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the invention, with p rts broken away;

FIG. 4 is a section taken along the line 44 of FIG. 1 with the operative ejecting positions of the hinged flaps shown in phantom; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a blank from which the invention is made.

Referring now to the drawings in more detail, the box or container is substantially rectangular in shape and adapted to receive elongated or slender articles such as the cigarettes 11. The box 10 is provided with a hinged top member 12 and a pusher or ejector member 13 located in the bottom of the box 10 and in substantially vertical or longitudinal alignment with the hinged top member 12.

Box 10 is preferably made from a blank 15 of any convenient material, such as pasteboard or paperboard, as best disclosed in FIG. 5. The blank 15 includes a side wall or panel 17 connected by a longitudinal fold line 18 to an end wall or panel 19. The opposite longitudinal edge of the end wall 19 comprises a fold line 20 connected to another side wall or panel 21. The side panel 21 is connected by a fold line 22 to another end wall or panel 23. The opposite longitudinal edge of the end panel 23 is connected by a fold line 24 to an elongated flap or tab 25, which is adapted to be glued to the free longitudinal edge 26 of the side panel 17, when the blank is assembled to form the box 10.

Extending from the top edge of the end panel 23 forming fold line 28 is a top panel 29. Top flap 30 is connected at one edge to top panel 29 by hinge line 31. Curved guide tabs 32 and 33 extend from fold lines 34 and 35, respectively, forming the opposite side edges of the top flap 30. It will be noted that each tab 32 and 33 is provided with trailing extensions 36 and 37, respectively, spaced slightly from the opposite edges of the top panel 29.

Extending from a fold line 39 forming a portion of the top edge of the side panel 21 adjacent the fold line 22 is a top extension or tab 40 forming a notch 41 with the top edge of the side panel 21. In a similar manner, a top extension or tab 42 extends from a fold line 43 forming aportion of the top edge of the side panel 17 adjacent the side edge 26. The top tab 42 also forms a notch 44 with the top edge of side panel 17. The length of each top tab 40 and 42 is substantially the same but longer than the length of the top panel 29.

Extending from the fold line 46 forming the bottom edge of the end panel 23 is the bottom panel 47. The bottom fiap 48 has one edge connected to the adjacent edge of the bottom panel 47 forming the hinge line 49. Depending from the opposite sides of the bottom flap 49, forming fold lines 50 and 51 are curved side guide tabs 52 and 53, respectively. An end guide tab 54 is also connected to the bottom flap 48 about fold line 55.

Extending from fold line 57 forming a portion of the bottom edge of side panel 21 adjacent the fold line 22 is a bottom tab 58. In a similar manner, bottom tab 59 extends from fold line 60 forming a portion of the bottom edge of the side panel 17 adjacent the side edge 26. The remaining portions of the bottom edges of the side panels 21 and 17 adjacent the bottom tabs 58 and 59 comprise semi-circular cut-out portions 62 and 63, respectively.

In order to assemble the blank 15 to form the box 10, the panels 17, 19, 21 and 23 are folded about their interconnecting fold lines 18, 20 and 22, and adhesive is applied, or pre-applied, to the tab 25 to secure it to the inside surface of the side panel 17 adjacent the edge 26. The top tabs 40 and 42, now opposing each other, are folded about their respective lines 39 and 43 inwardly toward each other and a glue or adhesive applied to the top surfaces of the tabs 40 and 42. The top panel 29 is then folded downwardly about the fold line 29 until its bottom surface adhesively engages the top surfaces of the tabs 40 and 42. The top panel 30 should remain pivoted upwardlyabout its hinge line 31 so that it will not adhere to the protruding ends of the top tabs 40 and 42 while the adhesive is setting. After the adhesive is set, the hinged top member 12, including the top flap 30, guide tabs 32 and 33, and extensions 36 and 37 are then free to be moved to a closed position by inserting the tabs 32 and 3,3 inside the box 10 so that the tabs 32 and 33 will be guided in sliding engagement against the inside surfaces of the side panels 21 and 17, respectively. It will thus be seen that the area between the hinge line 31, the top edge of the end wall 19 and the adjacent portions of the side panels 17 and 21 form a top opening 65 (FIG. 2) through which the cigarette 11 may be withdrawn, and which is adapted to be closed by the hinged top member 12.

The bottom panel 47 is then folded about its fold line 46 upwardly or inwardly at substantially right angles to the end panel 23. An adhesive is applied to the inside surfaces of the bottom tabs 58 and 59, and the bottom tabs 58 and 59 are folded inwardly toward each other about their respective fold lines 57 and 60 until they abut flush against the top surface of the bottom panel 47. Before the adhesive sets, the guide tabs 52, 53 and 54 should be folded inwardly at right angles about their respective fold lines 50, 51 and 55, and the bottom flap 48 should be pushed into the box about its hinge line 49 so that it will not adhere to the overlapping ends of the bottom tabs 58 and 59. The end tab 54 is adapted to slide against the interior surface of the end panel 19, while the side guide tabs 52 and 53 are adapted to ride against the interior surfaces of the respective side walls 21 and 17, and also be exposed through the respective cut-out portions 62 and 63.

With the box thus assembled, its operation will be easily understood. Normally, the hinged ejector member 13 will be disposed in the position disclosed in FIG. 1 and the solid line position of FIG. 4 so that the bottom flap 48 is substantially coplanar to form an extension of the bottom wall or panel 47. The hinged top member 12 may be raised to permit the box 10 to be filled with elongated articles, such as cigarettes 11. Of course, the cigarettes 11 may be inserted into the box 10 at some stage of the box assembly, if this operation is more convenient. After the box 10 is filled with the cigarettes 11, the hinged member 12 is closed by thrusting downward until hinged member 12 assumes the position of FIG. 1 and the solid-line position of FIG. 4. When it is desired to dispense one of the cigarettes, the box 10 is merely held in one hand, and one finger is thrust upwardly against the ejector member 13 as disclosed in FIG. 2, causing the bottom flap 48 to raise those cigarettes 11 which are resting thereon. The elevated cigarettes 11 thrust the hinged top 12 upwardly to the position disclosed in FIG. 2 and the phantom position of FIG. 4. The smoker may then remove one or more cigarettes as desired.

It will be noted that the hinged top member 12 and the ejector member 13 do not occupy the entire bottom and top wall portions of the box. Therefore, only a few cigarettes are ejected and exposed at any one time, and dispensed only when needed.

It will also be noted that both ejector member 13 and the hinged top member 12 are mounted to pivot about parallel hinge lines 49 and 31, respectively, and the hinge lines 49 and 31 are also disclosed in substantially vertical alignment in the same longitudinal plane.

After the desired number of cigarettes have been removed fiom the box 10, the package is closed by merely pressing the thumb downwardly upon the hinged top member 12, which automatically closes the top, lowers the elevated cigarettes 11 into the box 10, and thrusts ejector member 13 back into its normal position disclosed in FIG. 1. By tilting the box 10 with the end panel 19 lowermost, additional cigarettes 11 will gravitate into the ejecting position in alignment with the hinged flaps 30 and 48.

Another important feature of this invention, is the construction of the top panel 29 and the bottom panel 47 in relation to their corresponding tabs 40, 42, 58 and 59. It will be noted from the drawings, that the top panel 29 is folded over or on top of the top tabs 40 and 42, and that the length of the top tabs 40 and 42 are slightly longer than the top panel 29. Thus, the extending portions of the top tabs 40 and 42 provide stops to limit the downward pivotal movement of the top flap 30 so that it will not be depressed below the plane of the top panel 29. On the other hand, the bottom tabs 58 and 59 are folded over or below the bottom surfaces of the bottom flap 47. Since these bottom tabs 58 and 59 are slightly longer than the bottom flap 47, the extended portions provide stops to limit the downward pivotal movement of the bottom flap 48 to the plane of the bottom panel 47. Thus, there is substantially free upward pivotal movement of both the flaps 48 and 30, but when the top flap 30 is depressed to close the opening 65, its pivotal movement is limited by the extensions of the top tabs 40 and 42, and the downward movement of the bottom flap 48 is likewise limited by the extensions of the bottom tabs 58 and 59.

It will be understood that upward pressure on the bottom flap 48 or downward pressure on the top flap 30 automatically transmits the same pivotal movement to the other hinged flap through the cigarettes 11 themselves.

The cut-out portions 62 and 63 facilitate the actuation of the ejector member 13 by providing room for the upward movement of the operators finger when it extends transversely of the bottom flap 48.

It Will also be understood that the notches 41 and 44 in the tabs 40 and-42 are adapted to receive the trailing extensions 36 and 37 of guide tabs 32 and 33 in order to assist in interlocking the top panel 29 and top flap 30. Moreover, the top edges of the extensions 36 and 37 will also bear against the bottom surface of the top panel 29 to afford additional stop means to limit the downward pivotal movement of the top flap 30.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended. claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A box for containing and ejecting an elongated article comprising:

(a) opposed side walls,

(b) first and second end walls connecting opposite ends of said side walls, 7 i

(c) a bottom wall connecting said first end wall and adjacent portions of said side walls, and having an edge remote from said first end wall and spaced from said second end wall to form a bottom opening,

(d) a bottom flap adapted to cover said bottom opening,

(e) means hingedly connecting said bottom flap to said bottom wall edge to open and close said bottom opening,

(f) a bottom tab mounted on the bottom of said bottom wall and extending beyond said edge to form a stop for said bottom flap,

(g) a top wall connecting said first end wall and adjacent portions of said side walls and having an edge remote from said first end wall and spaced from said second end wall to form a top opening,

(h) a top flap adapted to cover said top opening,

(i) means hingedly connecting said top flap to said top wall edge to open and close said top opening, and

(j) a top tab mounted on the bottom of said top wall and extending beyond said top wall edge to form a stop for said top flap.

2. The invention according to claim 1 in which said top flap and said bottom flap are provided with guide tabs affixed to the opposite edges of said respective flaps and extending through said top and bottom openings, respectively, into said box and slidably engaging said side walls.

3. The invention according to claim 2 in which the bottom portions of said opposite side walls adjacent said bottom opening are cut-out to provide finger openings for pushing said bottom flap into said box.

4. A box bank comprising: I

(a) a first side panel, a first end panel, a second side panel and a second end panel serially interconnected,

(b) means for securing the free edge of said first side panel to the free edge of said second end panel,

(c) a bottom panel extending from the bottom edge of said second end panel and terminating in a bottom hinge line, 1

(d) a bottom flap extending from said bottom hinge line,

(e) bottom tabs extending from portions of the bottom (f) stop means on the bottom portion of said box exedges of said side walls for folding over said bottom -tending below said bottom flap to engage said botpanel, tom flap and limit its downward movement to the (f) a top panel extending from the top edge of said plane of said bottom wall,

second end panel and terminating in a top hinge line, 5 (g) a top wall connecting said first end Wall and ad- (g) a top flap extending from said top hinge line, jacent portions of said side walls and having an edge (h) top tabs extending from portions of the top edges remote from said first end wall and spaced from of said side Walls for holding beneath said top panel, said second end wall to form a top opening,

(i) the combined lengths of said bottom panel and said (h) a top flap adapted to cover said top opening, and bottom flap and the combined lengths of said top (i) means hingedly connecting said top flap to said panel and said top fiap being substantially equal to said top Wall edge to open and close said top opening. the width of each side wall. 3. The invention according to claim 7 further com- 5. The invention according to claim 4 in which guide prising upper stop means on the upper portion of said box tabs are connected to and extend from the side edges of extending below said top flap to engage said top flap and said top fiap and said bottom flap. 1 limit its downward movement to the plane of said top 6. The invention according to claim 5 in which the Wall.

portions of the bottom edges of said side walls between References Cited by the Examiner said bottom tabs and said first end Wall are cut-out FOREIGN PATENTS portions.

7. A box for containing and ejecting an elongated 1197157 6/1959 Francearticle comprising:

(a) opposed Sidn Walls References Cited by the Applicant (b) first and second end Walls connecting opposite ends UNITED STATES PATENTS f said i Walls, 1,739,529 12/ 1929 Skinner. (c) a bottom wall connecting said first end wall and 1,907,067 5/ 1933 Hartmann adjacent portions of said side walls, and having an 2,382,977 8/ 1945 Courtney. edge remote from said first end Wall and spaced 2,497,637 2/ 1950 Pollack. from said second end wall to form a bottom opening, 3,127,083 3/ 1964 Guyer. (d) a bottom fiap adapted to cover said bottom opening, 3,132,790 5/1964 Capuccio.

(e) means hingedly connecting said bottom flap to said I bottom wall edge to open and close said bottom THERON CONDGN Primary Exammer' opening, WILLIAM T. DIXSON, .TR., Examiner. 

1. A BOX FOR CONTAINING AND EJECTING AN ELONGATED ARTICLE COMPRISING: (A) OPPOSED SIDE WALLS, (B) FIRST AND SECOND END WALLS CONNECTING OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID SIDE WALLS, (C) A BOTTOM WALL CONNECTING SAID FIRST END WALL AND ADJACENT PORTIONS OF SAID SIDE WALLS, AND HAVING AN EDGE REMOTE FROM SAID FIRST END WALL AND SPACED FROM SAID SECOND END WALL TO FORM A BOTTOM OPENING, (D) A BOTTOM FLAP ADAPTED TO COVER SAID BOTTOM OPENING, (E) MEANS HINGEDLY CONNECTING SAID BOTTOM FLAP TO SAID BOTTOM WALL EDGE TO OPEN AND CLOSE SAID BOTTOM OPENING, (F) A BOTTOM TAB MOUNTED ON THE BOTTOM OF SAID BOT- 